Ahmed El-Ali: What’s on your mantelpiece?

The Steeple Times asks makeup artist Ahmed El-Ali: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Ambition and success.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Live, love and laugh.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2014?

Intolerance is unacceptable.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

My family.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

A cure for cancer.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

I try not to think or talk about it because I don’t like to see people struggling, losing their jobs and going through hard times.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

I hate the word “awesome”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Charity is deserved wherever it is needed. I wouldn’t support just for the sake of it and I support any cause that touches my heart.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

I’m always taking selfies so I can’t really say anything critical about it.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

A few selected close family and friends, Angelina Jolie, Naomi Campbell, Oprah, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

I would like a fillet steak medium cooked, French fries, green beans and peppercorn sauce with mayonnaise on the side and I would like to eat it on a small island by the beach.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

I don’t judge. People can drink whatever time they like as long as it’s moderation.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A Negroni.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoy any party with good crowd and lots of eye candy.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My nephew, Ali, who is 7. He’s always very positive and happy.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Pranking people.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A laughing EMOJI because I love to laugh.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Smart car because I would only take two people at once.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I write poems.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

My mini iPad.

Lebanese by blood, Ahmed El-Ali is a makeup artist who was born in Manchester and grew up in West Africa. He is based at the Neville salon in Belgravia, London.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook by clicking the links.

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